The Indian National Congress slammed US President Donald Trump’s move of recognising Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and called it “disturbing” and “in conflict with the United Nations’ resolutions on Palestine”.

The party also urged upon all parties concerned to resolve the Palestine issue peacefully and expeditiously in accordance with the 1993 Oslo Accord.
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“The announcement of US President on Jerusalem has invited criticism and outrage of the international community. It is in conflict with the UN resolutions on Palestine. The development is disturbing,” said Anand Sharma, who is Deputy leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha.

In a statement, Sharma said that the Congress urges all parties concerned to resolve the Palestine issue peacefully and expeditiously in accordance with the 1993 Oslo Accord between Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin of Israel and PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat.

He also said: “It is the duty of all member states of the United Nations to respect the resolutions on Palestine and to ensure that the status quo on Jerusalem is maintained as per the international consensus embodied in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 478 of August 20, 1980.

While the Indo-Arab League, a non-governmental organisation working to promote relations between India and the Arab countries, also has condemned the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as capital of Israel.

Terming the move by US President Donald Trump as incendiary in a volatile region, League Chairman Syed Vicaruddin said inspite of many resolutions passed by the UN Security Council, Washington was abandoning its leading role as a mediator.

In a statement, Vicarduddin said he condemns the announcement by Trump that US will be moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

He said many countries including European nations have alarm over the US move as its repercussions for any chances of reviving peacemaking between Israel and Palestine.

Vicaruddin demanded that the US reconsider its faulty decision and avoid uncalculated steps that will harm the multicultural identity, historical status of Jerusalem and the world peace.

Trump on Wednesday formally recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in the face of international criticism while asserting that he was “not taking a position of any final status” of the ancient city that is also claimed by Palestine.